Lazy susan hotplate

ABSTRACT

A hotplate is which to serve foods upon, the device incorporating the advantages of a hotplate and a conventional lazy susan so that the food may be maintained in a heated condition and which can be conveniently brought into convenient proximity for a person to serve. The device comprising a selective heating coil selectively controlled in temperature by a manually regulated potentiometer, the base having an upstanding central post about which a Pyrex-type of plate is pivotable, the plate being dished with individual compartments into each of which a separate Pyrex plate of corresponding shape to the compartment is fitted and each one of which is adaptable for containing a specific food intended to be kept heated while upon a dining table.

United States Patent [151 3,636,299 Stewart, Jr. 5] Jan. 18, 1972 5'41 LAZY SUSAN HOTPLATE 1,731,949 10/1929 Span etal. ..219/2l8 [72] Inventor: Luther H. Stewart, Jr., PO. Box 5242,

San Mateo, Calif. 94402 Filed: Nov. 12, 1970 Appl. No; 88,868

US. Cl. ..2l9/201, 108/94, 219/218, 219/443, 219/448, 219/464 Int. Cl. ..H05b l/00 Field ofsearch ..219/2l4, 218,443, 445,447, 219/456, 464, 465, 472, 462; 108/94 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1949 Monnot ..2l9/218 Sondy ....2l9/464 X Olivares ..219/464 X Primary Examiner-C. L. Albritton [57] ABSTRACT A hotplate is which to serve foods upon, the device incorporating the advantages of a hotplate and a conventional lazy susan so that the food may be maintained in a heated condition and which can be conveniently brought into convenient proximity for a person to serve. The device comprising a selective heating coil selectively controlled in temperature by a manually regulated potentiometer, the base having an upstanding central post about which a Pyrex-type of plate is pivotable, the plate being dished with individual compart' ments into each of which a separate Pyrex plate of corresponding shape to the compartment is fitted and each one of which is adaptable for containing a specific food intended to be kept heated while upon a dining table.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAHIBISIZ 3,636,299

FIG.

FIG. 3

I N VEN TOR LUTHER H. SEW/1R7; JR

LAZY SUSAN HO'IPLATE This invention relates generally to hotplates.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel hotplate for maintaining serving foods in a correctly heated condition while being placed upon a dining table, and which includes means so that the food can be conveniently brought into position for an individual diner to help himself therefrom instead of asking other diners at the table to pass the food.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hotplate which accordingly includes a lazy susan structure so that the heated food can be brought into convenient proximity for a diner to serve himself without asking other diners to pass the food.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a lazy susan hotplate which is simple in design, inexpensive-to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention and showing one of the individual food receptacles removed therefrom,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view thereof as viewed on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary planned view thereof shown enlarged. I

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference number represents a lazy susan hotplate according to the present invention wherein there is a stationary base 11 having a plurality of downwardly extending legs 12 so to support the base body in a generally spaced position above a supporting surface of a dining table.

The undersides of the legs 12 may accordingly be provided with polished smooth feet such as a glass button or else a soft felt so as to prevent scratching or marring the table surface.

Upon the base 11 there is fixedly mounted a heating coil 13 which can be imbedded there within as suggested in FIG. 2, the heating coil 13 being electrically connected to a potentiometer 14 which is provided with a manually rotatable knob 15 for selectively positioning the same respective to a graduated dial 16 upon the outer side of the base 11.

Additionally the heating coil and potentiometer are within a series electrical circuit with a male plug 17 at one end of an extension cord 18 extending outwardly of the base 11 so that the plug can be connected to a house outlet socket for electrically heating the coil 13.

It will now be obvious that the amount of heat for the device can be controlled by the potentiometer l4.

A layer of asbestos or other heat-shielding material such as fiberglass or the like is mounted within the base 11 as shown at 19 and which serves to shield the heat from the heating coil from radiating in the direction of the table upon which the device is supported.

An upstanding central post 20 is affixed upon the base 11 and around which there is fitted a thrust ball bearing 21 so as to support frictionally free thereupon a circular plate 22 that is made of Pyrex or other heat resistant material so that it will not crack when being heated by means of the heating coil 13.

The upper side of the Pyrex plate is dished with a plurality of compartments 23 and into which a plurality of food receptacles 24 of corresponding shape can be fitted, such as is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Accordingly such dished compartments 23 may be of quadrant configuration as indicated in FIG. 1, and'the food receptaclesfare each of corresponding quadrant configuration.

Each food receptacle is accordingly adaptable for containing an individual food which thus may be a different food from one that is placed in another food receptacle.

An arcuate or circular handle 25 is stationarily secured to the base 11 and which is sufficiently spaced away from the sidewall of the base 11 so that the handle does not become heated during operative use and thus permits a person to pick up the device and convenientl carry the same.

Additionally a circular han e 26 is secured to the rotatable Pyrex plate 22 and which is sufficiently positioned away from the side edge of the plate 22 so that it likewise does not become heated by the effect of the heating coil, so that a person can conveniently grasp the same in his hand and rotate the same so to bring a selected food in proximity for him to serve himself.

Thus there is provided a lazy susan hotplate having all advantages of a hotplate and advantages of a lazy susan for a person at a dining table.

What I now claim is:

1. In a lazy susan hotplate, the combination of a unitary appliance which incorporates the advantages of a conventional lazy susan and the advantages of a hotplate, said appliance accordingly including a stationary base having an electric heating coil mounted therewithin, said electric heating coil being in electrical series circuit with a potentiometer for selective heat control and a male plug at one end of an extension cord extending outward of said base and which is adaptable for being plugged into a house electric outlet socket, said base further including a layer of insulation material below said heating coil so to prevent radiation of heat from said heating coil downwardly toward a supporting surface upon which said appliance is placed, and said base having accordingly a plurality of downwardly extending legs for separating the base body from said supporting surface, said base having an upwardly extending central post, said post having a thrust bearing positioned therearound, said thrust bearing supporting relatively frictionally free a Pyrex plate placed thereupon, said Pyrex plate upon its upperside being downwardly dished into a plurality of individual compartments and each of said compartments receiving an individual removable food receptacle having a configuration that corresponds to the configuration of said compartment.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein a sta tionary handle is secured in spaced relation around a side of said base for purpose of carrying said appliance, and a second handle of circular configuration is secured in spaced relation around a side of said plate for the purpose of rotating said plate and bringing a selected food into proximity for a diner to serve himself.

i I I i 

1. In a lazy susan hotplate, the combination of a unitary appliance which incorporates the advantages of a conventional lazy susan and the advantages of a hotplate, said appliance accordingly including a stationary base having an electric heating coil mounted therewithin, said electric heating coil being in electrical series circuit with a potentiometer for selective heat control and a male plug at one end of an extension cord extending outward of said base and which is adaptable for being plugged into a house electric outlet socket, said base further including a layer of insulation material below said heating coil so to prevent radiation of heat from said heating coil downwardly toward a supporting surface upon which said appliance is placed, and said base having accordingly a plurality of downwardly extending legs for separating the base body from said supporting surface, said base having an upwardly extending central post, said post having a thrust bearing positioned therearound, said thrust bearing supporting relatively frictionally free a Pyrex plate placed thereupon, said Pyrex plate upon its upperside being downwardly dished into a plurality of individual compartments and each of said compartments receiving an individual removable food receptacle having a configuration that corresponds to the configuration of said compartment.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein a stationary handle is secured in spaced relation around a side of said base for purpose of carrying said appliance, and a second handle of circular configuration is secured in spaced relation around a side of said plate for the purpose of rotating said plate and bringing a selected food into proximity for a diner to serve himself. 